Community Brag Posts

Beautiful and sturdy dollhouse

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Sun, 12/25/2016 - 13:04

Thank you Ana for the wonderful dollhouse plans!  I have been making furniture using Ana's plans for a couple of years now.  I made this as a Christmas present for my 3 year old daughter.  This dollhouse is safe, strong, and my daughter loves it!  It took me about a month to make the dollhouse and furniture.  I do have 4 children and have limited spare time, so I'm sure it could be done faster.  I followed the plan almost exactly as written.  I used screws for the stair treads and added 1x2's underneath for support.  I just put up 3/4" plywood for the roof as my jig saw is not the best.  I also added small push LED lights for the first and second floors.  This dollhouse will last for years maybe even be passed down to grandchildren!

Estimated Cost
It was under $100 for the dollhouse. I'm not sure how much the furniture would cost, as I used a lot of scrap wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lindseed Oil - I really liked using this finish. It is so easy and there are no fumes. I also used it on the furniture.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Barn Door Media Console

Submitted by dlangford on Sat, 09/05/2020 - 16:19

Another weekend project this time built for my brother and his girlfriend. I lowered the console from 37” down to 31” to accommodate a more natural seated eye level for TV viewing. This one was left natural so that they could paint and distress themselves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$280
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My modified loft bed

Submitted by Mouse on Fri, 11/23/2012 - 21:13

After building a small dinghy, and a slightly longer pirogue, I was ready to build something else. I was looking at another boat, but to save my marriage my lovely wife suggested something more... practical. So my summer project was a surprise loft bed for my 12 year old son. He was staying with his grandparents for most of the summer so I had a month or so to work on it. This was my first piece of furniture and I'm very proud of it.

I did modify the plans a bit. I added a shelf to use as a nightstand, because you need a place for your water bottle, book, tissues, etc.

I made the desktop significantly deeper so that it was more useable.

I moved the ladder to the end of the bed and made it wider.

I added a towel bar to one end.

I added a drawer under the desktop.

and lastly I put corkboard on the side of the bookcase.

Estimated Cost
I think I spent about $350 for the whole project.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Two coats of Pecan stain, and four coats of spar varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Sat, 11/24/2012 - 03:48

What a great build! Love all of the mods and attention to detail! Was he beyond excited? I know, I would have been, ha!

spiceylg

Sat, 11/24/2012 - 03:50

What a great build! Love all of the mods and attention to detail! Was he beyond excited? I know, I would have been, ha!

In reply to by spiceylg

Mouse

Sat, 11/24/2012 - 09:23

He was excited. It replaced one of those cheap metal loft beds you can buy at Wal-mart. The old bed was kind of wobbly and made creeky noises every time he moved. he loves having bookshelves and a nightstand. I'd have posted his exited face photo but I ran out of photo slots. =)

I also made him a locker to go with it. So there were no excuses for not hanging up his jacket.

I love this site!

bbygrl78

Sun, 03/08/2015 - 10:20

I am getting ready to build my 5 yr old a loft bed. I have been searching for a design I want to use and I would like to more or less use yours, if that's okay? I don't want to use one of the kids designs because I want it to grow with her. I want to add stairs and a higher banister. I'll probably paint it white or something.

Long Console Table

Submitted by ceabrm on Sun, 09/07/2014 - 17:17

Modded the cheap, easy console table for a taller, longer and less deep table with bottom shelf. This particular table ended up being relatively expensive, though. I ended up using poplar since the pine at Big Blue was in horrid shape; pieces were cupped, bowed and splintered. If I was going to make a good looking table -- I needed to start with good looking materials. 

I needed a console table to go under a painting that hides my power box. At most, I could spare about 10" of space deep, but had plenty of space side to side, With just a few mods to the basic plan, I bought really nice poplar since knot free = less sanding :-)

I used my Kreg jig to make pocket holes to put this table together; even though it's very long and not very deep, it's very, very sturdy. I added a small shelf using some leftover hardwood plywood that I had from another job, then glued a little scroll on the apron for some extra oomph. I'll probably use some milkpaint, distress it, coat it with poly and it'll be done. I think it looks beautiful!

Estimated Cost
$100 using popular, much less if all pine
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2 Story American Girl Dollhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 11:57

I built this as a christmas present for my daughter.  Three stories was a bit too large, so I modified the plans a bit and cut out the bottom floor.

Estimated Cost
Wood cost around $100 and paint was another $30.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mueble para Lavamanos Sencillo

Submitted by Henry 22 on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 07:31

Fue un lindo proyecto sencillo en familia.

Estimated Cost
45.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Room Work Shelf

Submitted by nitechick on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 21:49

Liked the design, but I was looking for a shelf for my laundry room. This is my first project on my own.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Bird Feeder

Submitted by mtairymd on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 12:58

This is a simple project for the beginning woodworker. There are a variety of bird feeder designs available on the web but I wanted to try something a little different. Anyway, this is my try at a simple bird feeder.

Build Instructions:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Bird-Feeder-1/

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint for pillars and perch
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tuxedo Adriondak Chairs

Submitted by Harleyhank on Tue, 09/08/2020 - 10:56

Just finished another set, this time I stained the frame in varathan black and the seat and back panels in varathan sun bleached white. Also ran a 3/8" round over on arms and seat/back panels.

Footboard cubby bench

Submitted by benhuard on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 06:13

This was basically half of the entry way palns (I didn't make the top piece). I am yet to have a cushion made for the top but it looks great at the foot of our bed.

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

They loved them!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 15:08

I'm a newbie and loved your doll bunkbed pattern.  I made 6 of them for my granddaughters for christmas. They loved them! Thank you so much for sharing your talents!!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/11/2020 - 16:23

This was my largest project to date. Took me a LOT longer than I thought it would (big chunks of 4 weekends, plus sneaking in some time during the week), but enjoyed the process. The devil is in the details as always. The raw dog 2x6's took me hours upon hours to sand down to an acceptable state of smoothness. For the ladder, I kinda winged it and made it straight. My kids' room is really small, so every extra bit of square footage matters. My oldest is 5 and is fine going up and down. My youngest is 3 and hasn't quite figured it out yet, but that's probably for the best anyway. I also winged it a bit on the guardrails. I used pocket screws wherever possible in the joinery. I was planning on painting this since I knew staining/sealing would be a pain. But in the end, I'm glad I took the time (even though I was hating life during the staining). The kids are thrilled with the results. And I am VERY grateful for the plans you provided Ana! Thank you!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner (Oil based), Dark Walnut Stain (Oil based), Semi-Gloss Lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Flip Top Storage Bench

Submitted by jagrjones on Sat, 12/01/2012 - 17:00

This bench works great as a piano bench with storage inside for all of the sheet music. I added one little 4x4x.75 piece of wood inside in the middle because I found that the 1x12 seat would flex in the center but after adding that piece of wood it was solid. I also added eye hooks and chain for the top so that it does not flip all the way backwards.

Finish Used
Started with two applications of Minwax wood sealer, then a coat of Minwax English Chestnut and then some spray on polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

How to Build a Laundry Pedestal

I was tired of stooping to do laundry with my front-loading washer. I used the plans for Sausha's washer/dryer pedestals and tweaked them a bit.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Platform: semi-gloss latex paint + primer; legs and side: chalky finish paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First Woodworking Project Ever

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 09:18

This was my first woodworking project ever. No woodworking experience at all and very little experience with power tools. I am super inspired now and have tons of other ideas lined up.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American stain, Minwax Satin Polyurethane, and Rustoleum Painter's Touch Ultracover Flat White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love this table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/14/2020 - 11:09

This was my first big project. I made one of Ana's planters to get my feet wet. I changed the dimensions a bit. I made it counter height and shorter in length. I accidentally bought larger wood for the top, so it's a bit heavy. I built the top on the deck after I put the base together to save time and my back. I went with a Behr solid color stain. I had some frustrating moments but I am thrilled with the results. You can't buy a solid wood table for $150!

I absolutely love it. I can't wait to make more furniture.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr solid color stain - pewter
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Matching dog crates

Submitted by lwitte on Mon, 12/03/2012 - 23:50

My wife told me she would like a pair of matching dog crates built to fit the space between the wall and the dryer in our laundry room. I built her two crates (25L x 17W x 18H) and painted them to match the colors in the laundry room. They fit the open space exactly and sit on top of each other. The entire project took about 2 days to finish and set me back around $80. They seem to work perfectly for our dogs, both of whom are on the smaller size of medium. They really tie the space together and add a wow factor to an other wise normal laundry room.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White and Teal satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kid adirondack

Just changed the back a tiny bit.  My nieces and nephews love these!  Thanks for the great plans.

Estimated Cost
About $25.00 each.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paints and stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/06/2017 - 09:24

Basic  kitchen  island

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate